Biofertilizers are game changers and disrupting the agricultural industry. They can boost crop yield, amp up fruit quality, and skyrocket Brix levels. This shift from old-school chemical fertilizers helps our planet and makes crops healthier.
Let’s take a deep dive into biofertilizers' many benefits, especially their impact on farm output, fruit quality, and Brix level - a key sweetness measure. Our analysis aims to shed light on how biofertilizers work their magic, providing key insights for farmers and researchers.
In this blog post, we will be covering:
What are Biofertilizers?
Biofertilizers, which may contain a variety of different microorganisms, act like natural soil enhancers. They're divided into a few main types. There are Nitrogen-fixers like Rhizobium and Azotobacter. These types are vital for legumes and other plants, turning atmospheric nitrogen into a usable source for plants. Phosphate Solubilizers, like the bacteria Bacillus and Pseudomonas, make soil phosphate bioavailable. And then there's Mycorrhizal Fungi, which expands the root network, helping plants absorb more nutrients and water. Some biofertilizers even produce growth-promoting substances and fight off plant diseases.
Soil Health & Biofertilizers
Biofertilizers are big players in keeping soil healthy. They improve soil's feel and breathability, boost organic matter, and balance the soil microbiome which leads to lasting soil fertility. These natural fertilizers feed plants essential nutrients for strong growth. They also encourage root growth and build up resistance to diseases and abiotic stress conditions.
Plants become more resilient by developing stronger root and cell structures. Biofertilizer is environmentally friendly and sustainable. They reduce chemical runoff into our waters, reduce soil contamination, and help in the fight against greenhouse gas emissions. This aligns with global efforts to reduce agriculture's ecological footprint. Biofertilizers can be used in a wide range of crops and soil types.
Due to the efficacy application on various crops and soil types, biofertilizers are widely adopted in sustainable agriculture. Their natural, effective, and environment friendly improves farming productivity and contributes to a healthier farming ecosystem.
Biofertilizer's Impact on Crop Yield
Biofertilizers are disrupting the agricultural industry. They enrich soil health and boost nutrient uptake. This paves a path for more sustainable agriculture practices. Studies show that biofertilizers increase crop yields and often outdo crops treated with traditional fertilizers. (Aseri et al., 2008; Demir et al., 2023; Esitken et al., 2003; Głuszek et al., 2020; Mosa et al., 2016, 2018; Rozpara et al., 2014; Sood, 2018).
A notable yield hike is seen in apples (Mosa et al., 2016, 2018), strawberries (Negi et al., 2021), apricots (Esitken et al., 2003), sweet cherries (Głuszek et al., 2020), pomegranates (Aseri et al., 2008), grapes (Akl et al., 1997; El-Sabagh et al., 2011; Singh et al., 2020), broccoli (Demir et al., 2023), and tomatoes (Abd-El Rahman, et al., 2001). These findings resonate across different crop types and regions, underscoring biofertilizers' effectiveness.
In a five-year trial at Georgian Orchard Services, Pat Johnson, a biological specialist saw increased yield in his grape and apple trials when applying Nurture Growth Biofertilizer on top of the grower’s program. Hear what Pat Johnson has to say about the Year 1 Trial at Georgian Orchard Services:
Below are informational graphs on the study trials:
The influence of biofertilizers on crop yield is an intricate mix. Enhanced nutrient availability, improved soil health, and increased plant resilience all play a role. Beneficial microorganisms like nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi are key ingredients in these fertilizers. They convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can easily use (Rashid et al., 2016; Singh et al., 2021). This leads to a direct uptake in plant growth and yield.
Biofertilizers also improve soil structure and boost microbial diversity fostering a healthier root zone (Bargaz et al., 2018; Shang et al., 2023). Improved soil health not only increases crop yield in the current season, but also improves crop yield in subsequent years. Crops applied with biofertilizers often outperform those treated with chemical fertilizers. This all-in approach to boosting soil fertility and plant health highlights biofertilizers' role in varied agricultural contexts.
Biofertilizer's Influence on Fruit Quality
Biofertilizers are shaking things up in fruit farming, crucial for both nutrient content and physical traits. This directly sways consumer choices and market prices, making it a top priority for growers. The use of biofertilizer improves plant productivity and reduces diseases linked to pollution. This marks a major leap in caring for our environment (Ammar et al., 2023). They boost food quality, leading to a surge in vitamins, flavonoids, and antioxidants.
Numerous studies confirm biofertilizers' role in advancing vegetative growth, yield, and apple quality. This approach has sparked a boom in fruit yield and size, a stark contrast to results from typical NPK fertilization, signaling a new chapter in fruit cultivation (Mosa et al., 2018; Rozpara et al., 2014). A guava research trial revealed better fruit diameter, weight, and sugar levels when treated with Azotobacter, a phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, and mycorrhiza biofertilizers, while cutting back on chemicals (Singh et al., 2020). This combo led to top-notch fruit yield and quality, including improved ascorbic acid levels and less acidity, resulting in superior guavas.
Phosphorus solubilizing biofertilizers teamed up with Triacontanol, a natural plant product, significantly elevated plant growth, blooming time, yield, and quality, reflecting higher ascorbic acid and total sugar content, proving biofertilizers' effectiveness when mixed with other natural plant products (Sood, 2018).
Besides standard quality parameters, fruits' physical traits like size, color, and texture also get a boost from biofertilizers (Pereira et al., 2021). Bigger and more eye-catching fruits often result from better nutrient uptake these natural fertilizers offer. Strawberries, for example, had notably bigger sizes and more intense colors when biofertilizers were used (Singhalage et al., 2021).
Biofertilizers also increase nutrient content in fruits, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (Jiménez-Gómez et al., 2017). Tomatoes with biofertilizer treatment showed a significant rise in antioxidant levels, making them tastier and healthier (Ochoa-Velasco et al., 2016). This boost in nutritional value is key in today's health-conscience market. Essential oil quality in fennel plants showed more phenolic and flavonoid content, alongside stronger antioxidant activity when biofertilizers were used (El-Beltagi et al., 2023). So, using biofertilizers to improve fruit quality, and their nutritional and medicinal values, aligns with the demand for healthier and nutrient dense crops.
Biofertilizer's Impact on Brix
Brix, or °Brix, measures fruit's total soluble solids (TSS). Think sugars like sucrose and fructose, organic acids, and a whole mix of compounds including fats, minerals, and flavonoids (Kusumiyati et al., 2020). It's a big deal for figuring out fruit sweetness, showing how much sugar is in each fruit. Who wants to eat a sour strawberry or a flavourless blueberry? This is why Brix level is important. This measurement is influenced by many factors like the fruit's biochemical makeup, TSS, and even the plant's nutritional environment.
Nutrients in fruits, like vitamins and antioxidants, get a serious boost from biofertilizers (Shamseldin et al., 2010; Jiménez-Gómez et al., 2017). This bump in nutrients leads to higher Brix levels, giving fruits a better taste and market appeal (Vijayalakshmi, 2002). Biofertilizers make photosynthesis and metabolism more efficient. They pump up the amount of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) in roots (Abdel-Nasser and Harhash 2002). A high Brix comes from more ascorbic acid and all kinds of sugars because of nitrogen fixation, which revs up various enzymes (A. Singh et al., 2020; Dey et al., 2005). You can't forget potassium! This chemical is a key player provided by biofertilizers. It's essential for photosynthesis, nutrient movement, and water uptake (Woldemariam et al. 2018).
Brix is influenced by how a plant photosynthesizes, and biofertilizers help this process (Mosa et al., 2018; Nardi et al., 2002). Biofertilizers do wonders for chlorophyll in leaves, thanks to humic substances in the rhizosphere. This amps up photosynthesis, leading to a Brix boost. More phosphorus uptake, again thanks to biofertilizers, means more chlorophyll and better photosynthesis in apple trees (Game and Navale, 2006; Ojha et al., 2008). Therefore, biofertilizers are not just about increasing yields and quality; They also increase the Brix in fruits, which is a big win for marketability and consumer choice.
Limitations with Biofertilizers
Biofertilizers are beneficial in crop production, however, there are also challenges using them. Their effectiveness hinges on the microorganisms used and how well they interact with certain types of soils and crops (Bhardwaj et al., 2014). This can mean a biofertilizer that works wonders in one scenario might not be effective in others, making widespread adoption a challenge. Mass production and storage of biofertilizer are also a challenge as many products have a short shelf life, and may require special storage (Malusá et al., 2012).
Unlike many biofertilizers on the market, Nurture Growth Biofertilizer has a two-year shelf life and does not require special storage. In a lab study conducted with A&L Labs, Nurture Growth Biofertilizer was frozen for a period of three years and thawed to test the microbial count. The results indicated minor degradation in microbial count. We also tested our biofertilizer in extreme heat conditions and also found no degradation in microbial count.
Adoption of biofertilizers is slow because of the cost, which is a challenge for small-scale farmers (Bhattacharyya et al., 2016). Educating farmers to switch from their tried-and-true chemical fertilizers to biofertilizers is a challenge and requires education and showing long-term benefits (Adesemoye & Kloepper, 2009). Field application results are inconsistent because of factors like soil pH, temperature, and moisture levels can influence the effectiveness of biofertilizers (Vessey, 2003). While biofertilizers are being more widely adopted, overcoming these hurdles through relentless research, fresh innovations, and educating farmers is key for their full-on adoption.
Conclusion
In summary, biofertilizers are transforming the landscape of sustainable agriculture. They bring a bounty of benefits, like boosting yields, improving fruit quality, and elevating Brix levels. The benefits can outweigh the challenges as switching from traditional chemical fertilizers creates a huge win for our planet, the soil and producing healthier crops.
Interested in learning more about our biofertilizer? Schedule a call with our technical team at sales@nurutregrowhtbio.com
Blogger Biography
Dr. Javed Iqbal Mizra is an experienced researcher who is the Principal Scientific Officer and Associate Professor at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). His accomplishments include:
Established a genotyping lab and a new glasshouse to meet the growing needs of the lab which extended its disease screening capacity and capacity to map resistant genes.
Trained over 100 technicians to establish a rust disease surveillance network, established surveillance protocols, and monitored rust diseases in Pakistan. Used surveillance data from over 2000 surveyed sites to generate & publish annual disease distribution maps on rust tracker.
Took an initiative to analyze stem rust disease attacking wheat in Pakistan in collaborated international groups at CIMMTY, ICARDA, UMN, WSU, USYD, and AAFC to monitor the disease emerging scenario of Ug99 in the South Asian region and identified it as RRTTF. Streamlined yellow, leaf, and stem rust race analysis work in Pakistan and mapped race distribution patterns using Google map resources.
Evaluated genetic base of resistance in over 20,000 acres of wheat, advanced breeders genetic stocks, and candidate lines using Pakistani and US pathogen culture collection at seedling and adult plant stage. tified new sources of resistance, postulated and mapped resistant genes in commercial lines and wheat landraces. Identified, characterized, and mapped a new stripe rust resistance gene YrPak in wheat landrace PI388231.
Conducted extensive Karnal bunt disease surveys, standardized field and glasshouse screening for Karnal bunt, and evaluated synthetic derivatives & commercial wheat lines for Karnal bunt resistance.
Potato late blight pathogen populations in Pakistan and identified mating type A2 from potato growing areas of Pakistan. Characterized the populations for mating types, metalaxyl sensitivity, isozyme profile, virulence profile, and identified RG57 haplotypes in them.
Isolated, characterized, and maintained over 200 rhizobium cultures and prepared rhizobium bio-fertilizer for the leguminous crop and demonstrated its application technique. Also isolated bacteriophages responsible for rhizobium bio-fertilizer deterioration.
Citations:
Abd-El Rahman, S., El-Shiekh, T., & Hewedy, A. (2001). Effect of biofertilizers on yield, quality, and storability of tomatoes. Journal of Plant Production, 26(11), 7165–7191. https://doi.org/10.21608/jpp.2001.258121
Abdel-Nasser G., Harhash M.M. (2002): The effect of organic manure in combination with elemental sulfur on soil physical and chemical characters, yield, fruit quality, leaf water contents and nutritional status contents and nutritional status of Flame seedless grapevines. Soil physical and chemical characteristics. Journal of Agricultural Science, Mansoura University, Egypt, 25: 3541– 3558.
Adesemoye, A. O., & Kloepper, J. W. (2009). Plant–microbes interactions in enhanced fertilizer-use efficiency. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 85(1), 1-12.
Akl, A. M., Ahmed, F. F., El-Morsy, F. M., & Ragab, M. A. (1997). The Beneficial Effects of Biofertilizers for `Red Roomy’ Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.): The Effect of Berry Set, Yield, and Quality of Berries. HortScience, 32(3), 487D – 487. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.32.3.487D
Ammar, E. E., Rady, H. A., Khattab, A. M., Amer, M. H., Mohamed, S. A., Elodamy, N. I., AL-Farga, A., & Aioub, A. A. A. (2023). A comprehensive overview of eco-friendly bio-fertilizers extracted from living organisms. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(53), 113119–113137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30260-x
Aseri, G. K., Jain, N., Panwar, J., Rao, A. V., & Meghwal, P. R. (2008). Biofertilizers improve plant growth, fruit yield, nutrition, metabolism and rhizosphere enzyme activities of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in Indian Thar Desert. Scientia Horticulturae, 117(2), 130–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2008.03.014
Bargaz, A., Lyamlouli, K., Chtouki, M., Zeroual, Y., & Dhiba, D. (2018). Soil Microbial Resources for Improving Fertilizers Efficiency in an Integrated Plant Nutrient Management System. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9, 1606. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01606
Bhardwaj, D., Ansari, M. W., Sahoo, R. K., & Tuteja, N. (2014). Biofertilizers function as key player in sustainable agriculture by improving soil fertility, plant tolerance and crop productivity. Microbial Cell Factories, 13, 66.
Bhattacharyya, P. N., & Jha, D. K. (2012). Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR): emergence in agriculture. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 28(4), 1327-1350.
Demir, H., Sönmez, İ., Uçan, U., & Akgün, İ. H. (2023). Biofertilizers Improve the Plant Growth, Yield, and Mineral Concentration of Lettuce and Broccoli. Agronomy, 13(8), 2031. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13082031
Dey P, Rai M, Kumar S, Nath V, Das B and Reddy N N. 2005. Effect of biofertilizer on physioco-chemical characteristics of guava (Psidium guajava) fruit. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 75 (2): 5-6.
El-Beltagi, H. S., Nada, R. S., Mady, E., Ashmawi, A. E., Gashash, E. A., Elateeq, A. A., Suliman, A. A., Al-Harbi, N. A., Al-Qahtani, S. M., Zarad, M. M., & Randhir, T. O. (2023). Effect of Organic and Bio-Fertilization on Fruit Yield, Bioactive Constituents, and Estragole Content in Fennel Fruits. Agronomy, 13(5), 1189. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051189
El-Sabagh A.S., El-Morsy F.M. and Farag A.R. 2011. Effect of Biofertilizers as a Partial Substitute for Nitrogen Fertilzier on Vegetative Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality and Leaf Mineral Content of Two Seedless Grape Cultivars II: Fruit Quality and Leaf Mineral Content. Journal of Horticultural Science & Ornamental Plants 3 (2): 176-187, 2011
Esitken, A., Karlidag, H., Ercisli, S., Turan, M., & Sahin, F. (2003). The effect of spraying a growth promoting bacterium on the yield, growth and nutrient element composition of leaves of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. Hacihaliloglu). Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 54(4), 377. https://doi.org/10.1071/AR02098
Game B.C., Navale A.M. (2006): Effect of VAM inoculation on nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by custard-apple seedlings. International Journal of Agriculture Sciences, 2: 354–355.
Głuszek, S., Derkowska, E., Sas-Paszt, L., Sitarek, M., & Sumorok, B. (2020). Influence of bioproducts and mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and yielding of sweet cherry trees. Horticultural Science, 47(2), 122–129. https://doi.org/10.17221/102/2018-HORTSCI
Jiménez-Gómez, A., Celador-Lera, L., Fradejas-Bayón, M., Rivas, R. (2017). Plant probiotic bacteria enhance the quality of fruit and horticultural crops. AIMS Microbiology, 3(3), 483–501. https://doi.org/10.3934/microbiol.2017.3.483
Kusumiyati, Hadiwijaya, Y., Putri, I. E., Mubarok, S., & Hamdani, J. S. (2020). Rapid and non-destructive prediction of total soluble solids of guava fruits at various storage periods using handheld near-infrared instrument. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 458(1), 012022. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/458/1/012022
Malusá, E., Sas-Paszt, L., & Ciesielska, J. (2012). Technologies for beneficial microorganisms inocula used as biofertilizers. The Scientific World Journal, 2012.
Mosa, W. F. A. E.-G., Sas Paszt, L., Frąc, M., Trzciński, P., Przybył, M., Treder, W., & Klamkowski, K. (2016). The influence of biofertilization on the growth, yield and fruit quality of cv. Topaz apple trees. Horticultural Science, 43(3), 105–111. https://doi.org/10.17221/154/2015-HORTSCI
Mosa, W. F. A. E.-G., Sas Paszt, L., Frąc, M., Trzciński, P., Treder, W., & Klamkowski, K. (2018). The role of biofertilizers in improving vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of apple. Horticultural Science, 45(4), 173–180. https://doi.org/10.17221/101/2017-HORTSCI
Nardi S., Pizzeghello D., Muscolo A, Vianello A. (2002): Physiological effects of humic substances in plant growth. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 34: 1527–1536.
Negi, Y. K., Sajwan, P., Uniyal, S., & Mishra, A. C. (2021). Enhancement in yield and nutritive qualities of strawberry fruits by the application of organic manures and biofertilizers. Scientia Horticulturae, 283, 110038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110038
Ochoa-Velasco et al., (2016) for example showed that biofertilizer-treated tomatoes have increased levels of antioxidants, making them not only tastier but also more beneficial for health.
Ochoa-Velasco, C. E., Valadez-Blanco, R., Salas-Coronado, R., Sustaita-Rivera, F., Hernández-Carlos, B., García-Ortega, S., & Santos-Sánchez, N. F. (2016). Effect of nitrogen fertilization and Bacillus licheniformis biofertilizer addition on the antioxidants compounds and antioxidant activity of greenhouse cultivated tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. Sheva). Scientia Horticulturae, 201, 338–345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.02.015
Ojha S., Chakraborty M.R., Dutta S., Chatterjee N.C. (2008): Influence of VAM on nutrient uptake and growth of custard-apple. Asian Journal of Experimental Sciences, 22: 221–224.
Pereira, J. M., Stolf, R., Da Silva, J. D. C. B., Vicentini-Polette, C. M., Da Silva, P. P. M., Biazotto, A. M., Spoto, M. H. F., Verruma-Bernardi, M. R., & Sala, F. C. (2021). Agronomic, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of fruit of Biquinho pepper cultivated with liquid biofertilizer. Scientia Horticulturae, 288, 110348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110348
Rashid, A., Mir, M. R., & Hakeem, K. R. (2016). Biofertilizer Use for Sustainable Agricultural Production. In K. R. Hakeem, M. S. Akhtar, & S. N. A. Abdullah (Eds.), Plant, Soil and Microbes (pp. 163–180). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27455-3_9
Rozpara, E., Pąśko, M., Bielicki, P., & Paszt, L. S. (2014). Influence of various bio-fertilizers on the growth and fruiting of ‘Ariwa’ apple trees growing in an organic orchard. Journal of Research and Applications in Agricultural Engineering.
Shamseldin A., El-Sheikh M.H., Hassan H.S.A., Kabeil S.S. (2010): Microbial bio-fertilization approaches to improve yield and quality of washington navel orange and reducing the survival of nematode in the soil. Journal of American Science, 6: 264–271.
Shang, X., Fu, S., Guo, X., Sun, Z., Liu, F., Chen, Q., Yu, T., Gao, Y., Zhang, L., Yang, L., & Hou, X. (2023). Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Microbial Fertilizer Changes Soils’ Microbial Structure and Promotes Healthy Growth of Cigar Tobacco Plants. Agronomy, 13(12), 2895. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13122895
Singh, A., Kachwaya, D. S., & Singh, R. (2020). Effect of Biofertilizers on Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(12), 372–378. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.912.047
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Singhalage, I. D., Seneviratne, G., & Madawala, H. M. S. P. (2021). Biofilmed biofertilizers for improved quality and quantity of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) under field conditions. Ceylon Journal of Science, 50(2), 165. https://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v50i2.7879
Sood, M. K. (2018). Effect of Bio-fertilizers and Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Flowering, Fruit ion Content, Yield and Fruit Quality of Strawberry. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.30954/0974-1712.06.2018.4
Vessey, J. K. (2003). Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria as biofertilizers. Plant and Soil, 255(2), 571-586.
Vijayalakshmi T., C. Kavitha, K.A. Shanmugasundaram and I. Muthuvel (2022). Effect of Biofertilizers on Yield and Quality Attributes of Grape cv. Muscat Hamburg.Biological Forum–An International Journal, 14(4a):238-241.
Woldemariam, Sofonias Hagos, Sewa Lal, Daniel Z. Zelelew, and Mulugheta T. Solomon. 2018. “Effect of Potassium Levels on Productivity and Fruit Quality of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum L.).” Journal of Agricultural Studies 5 (4): 102. https://doi.org/10.5296/jas.v6i1.12262.
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